MaineNatural lake, 1,122 acres, Penobscot County
East Branch Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-7kt
WNW, gusts 14
High 56°F, rain 19%
Good -
TueOct 27
4-8kt
NW, gusts 15
High 44°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
2-4kt
WSW, gusts 8
High 48°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
3-6kt
SSW, gusts 12
High 57°F, rain 0%
Good -
FriOct 30
5-10kt
W, gusts 20
High 59°F, rain 15%
Good -
SatOct 31
3-6kt
WNW, gusts 14
High 52°F, rain 5%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-6kt
SW, gusts 13
High 53°F, rain 10%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on East Branch
Over the next 7 days on East Branch Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Friday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.
Reading a lake wind forecast
Sustained wind is the average over a couple of minutes; gusts are the short peaks. On inland water the gap between the two matters as much as the average. A steady 12 kt is a pleasant sail, while 8 kt gusting 20 kt knocks small boats flat and tires out paddlers.
On a lake the size of East Branch, waves stay modest, but nearby hills, trees and buildings bend the wind. Expect shifts and puffs, especially close to shore, and treat the forecast speed as an average across open water.
The National Weather Service forecast covers a 2.5 km grid, so local effects like a sea breeze off a big lake, a cold front or afternoon thunderstorms can arrive earlier or stronger than shown. Check the forecast again on the morning you go, and keep an eye on small craft advisories.
East Branch Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for East Branch Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 52°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 53°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on East Branch Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with W wind around 5 to 10 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the East Branch Lake wind forecast come from?
From the National Weather Service gridded forecast for the 2.5 km cell over the lake. It is the same forecast local NWS offices use, updated several times a day. We convert wind to knots and add our own go or no-go call for each activity.
What wind is too strong for a kayak or paddleboard?
We flag paddling as risky once sustained wind passes about 8 kt or gusts pass 12 kt, and advise staying ashore above 12 kt sustained or 18 kt gusts. Offshore wind is the most dangerous because it pushes you away from the launch.
Nearby lakes
If East Branch is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.